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Why do they think it’s OK?
That’s what Pat Rushton thinks every time he reads a story or hears about a pro or student athlete committing a crime.
Rushton, a retired Wilkes-Barre City police captain who serves as outreach and education manager at the Victims’ Resource Center, shared his views with members of the King’s College and Wilkes University football programs last week during a presentation on preventing sexual violence.
“When you see professional athletes in domestic violence or battery I think that this work should have started when they were in high school or college. Getting them to understand that this can be prevented. This reinforces that we need to start earlier,” Rushton said.
“Why does an athlete think it’s OK to punch his wife? Starting earlier makes them realize that it’s not OK.”
All across the country, professional and collegiate athletes are getting accused of wrongdoings resulting in hearings, trials or jail time ranging from crimes such as shoplifting to domestic violence or sexual abuse.
The main message Rushton tries to get across to the players is to be leaders when it comes to seeing acts of violence towards a woman whether direct or indirectly.
“Pat comes, the thing he tries to press upon our kids is that if other kids on campus see football players see somebody disrespecting and they can put a stop to it,” Monarchs coach Jeff Knarr said. “To spread the word that this is not acceptable in society. Football is not a gentlemen’s game, but it can be played by gentlemen.
“That you should never touch a woman or hurt a woman, and that shouldn’t be an issue, but unfortunately it is and these guys can be a positive force that it’s wrong. We’re gonna help not do it, but also help others not do it. We’re gonna be gentlemen off the field. We play a game that’s not gentle, but we’re gonna be gentlemen off the field and do the right thing.”
Rushton gave an approximately 45-minute presentation using slides to educate both teams. He said he also gives the presentation to every fall and winter team at Wilkes, and the King’s wrestling team. He’s also worked with athletic teams at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Misericordia takes care of precautionary measurements in house. Cougars football coach Mark Ross said anytime an issue comes up, he uses that as a teaching tool.
“When I look back at this senior group, they’re not saints (but) we haven’t had a whole lot of issues that are embarrassing to this university or this program,” Ross said. “But I’m constantly saying ‘you have to understand you’re part is bigger and have to make great decisions. Even things you think may be innocent can blow up to become something bad in a hurry.’ I think it’s part of the education process as coaches we should do because it’s part of educating.”
Rushton has been giving presentations to local student-athletes since before he retired from the police force to join the Victims Resource Center more than a dozen years ago. He’s worked with past coaches from each sport. He gives the same presentation to men’s and women’s athletic teams because both genders can prevent these types of crimes. But, Rushton focuses on male athletes, primarily football players because they are the most notable and biggest clubs on any campus.
At Wilkes, coach Trey Brown said his team receives many precautionary talks. In addition to Rushton, university president Patrick Leahy spoke with the squad on the third day of camp, while assistant director of residence life Jamie Miller gives a leadership presentation.
“You’re always trying to coach it up, but you can’t be with them every minute, every day so you hope you’ve done enough,” Brown said. “And the other thing is I think you need to set boundaries on what’s acceptable and what’s not. And if it’s not acceptable behavior there’s going to be consequences.”
Local college football kicks off on Labor Day weekend. Wilkes is the first to get into action taking on Muhlenberg on the road on Friday, Sept. 4. The Monarchs and Cougars are in action the next day with King’s at home in the first-ever home night game taking on Moravian, while Misericordia travels to Utica for a 4:30 p.m. contest.
